Hat and coat rack



(No Model.)

W. 'L, CALDWELL. HAT AND COAT-RACK.

,737. Patented-Feb. 14, 1888.

N. PETERS. PhMo-Lflnngnphur, Wang. 0. a

UNITED STATES PATENT omca \VILLIAM L. CALDWELL, OF CANTON, OHIO.

HAT AND COAT RACK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent; No. 377,737, dated February 14, 1888. Application filed April 21, 1887. Serial No. 235,618. (No model.) I

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM L. CALDWELL,

I a citizen of theUnited States, residing at Canton, in thecounty ofStark, State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Hat and Coat Racks, of which the following is a specification, reference being bad therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention has relation to bat and coat racks, and among the objects thereof is to provide a combined hat and coat rack, especially adapted for use in coat-rooms in hotels, theaters, and other public places, that is capable of locking the hat and coat thereon, thus insuring its safe delivery to its rightful owner. 7

With the above general objects in view the invention consists in certain features of construction, hereinafter referred-to, and particularly pointed out in the claims.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of a combined hat and coat rack constructed in accordance with my invention, the same being shown in a closed and locked position, as when retaining a hat and coat. Fig. 2 is a detail in side elevation of the swinging and locking plate. Fig. 3 is a sideelevation of the stationary arms of the rack, the movable arm or plate being removed and exposing to view the internal locking mechanism. Fig. 4 is a detail in side elevation of a combined check and key.

Like letters of reference indicate like parts in all the figures.

In carrying out my invention'I prefer to construct the same of two'castings, A and B. The casting A consists of a stationary arm, A, at the front of which is formed a hatreceiving hook, A provided with a clampingplate, A at its extreme end. The arm A is mounted upon or integral with a securingplate,A*, perforated for'the reception of screws or other securing devices, and provided at its -lower end and in line with the arm A with for a purpose hereinafter explained.

Mounted in slotted keepers A formed in the recess A, is a latch, A, beveled at its front, and having a spring, A, interposed between its rear end and the end wall of the recess, said spring'having a tendency to force said latch forward. A key-hole, A is formed in the closed side of the arm A,into which a combined key and check, 0, adapted to the conformation of the latch A, is adapted to be inserted, the lug on said key being adapted to take into a slot, A, formed in the latch, whereby said latch may be reciprocated to the rear against the tension of the spring for the purpose of unlocking the rack, as Iwill now proceed to explain.

Referringnow more particularly to Fig. 2, which is a side elevation of the casting B, the

same consists of a forwardly-projecting arm,

B, at the front of which is formed a numberbearing plate, B, upon which numbers may bev raised or sunk, and a clamping-plate, B,ada'pted tocome inclose proximity to a similar plate, A upon the arm A. At the rear end of the arm Bis formed a web-plate, B, provided at its lower end with a depending and slightly rearwardly-disposed coat-retainin g arm, B adapted to come into close proximity with the coatreceiving arm or hook A The plate B is perforated, as at B and 'upon said plate and surrounding the perforation is a raised annular flange or ring,B cut away as at B and notched as at B The two castings A and B are placed side by" 7 side, the holes or apertures A B thereof registering, and a screw or bolt, D, passed through the same. In this position the boss A, having the spring A, is received by the ring B,

the free and bent end of the spring taking into the notch B of the ring B, the tendency of said spring therefore being to retain the arm B in a raised or open position, as shown by dotted lines, Fig. 1.

It will now be seen that a hat having been placed upon the arm A and a coat, if desired, upon the coat-hook Aiand the casting B swung to a lower or closed position, the ehamfered end of the latch riding over the ring B,said latch will, when the opening 13 of the ring is brought opposite the same, be forced by the spring A into the recess B and thus retain the arms B B from opening.- In this position,

as is clearly apparent from Fig. 1, it would be impossible to withdraw either a coat or hat from the hooks therefor.

As each of the devices is numbered and provided with a key bearing a corresponding number, it is apparent that a persons hat and coat havlng been hung thereon it can be delivered therefrom only by a presentation of the key and unlocking the device. To unlock the device,- it is only necessary to insert the key in the hole A and turn the same until its lug takes into the notch A of the latch A, when by turning said key to the rear the latch will be withdrawn from the opening B in the ring B and the coiled spring will force the casting B to an open position. (See Fig. 1.) In this position, the notch of the latch being brought into about a vertical plane with the key-hole, it will retain the key in position in the same by reason of its inability to turn, and thus the loss of the key is prevented. As each key is different and adapted to unlock only the lock of the rack bearing the number correspond- .ing with the number on the key, it will be impossible for a coat and hat to be delivered to any but its rightful owner.

Having described my invention and its op eration, what I claim is r 1. A combined hat and coat rack comprising coat and hat receiving arms recessed to form part of a case for locking mechanism mounted on a securing-plate, and a hat and coat retaining arm having an enlarged portion forming one sidevof a case for locking mechanism, substantially as specified.

2. In a combined hat and coat rack, the combination of hat and coat receiving arms mounted on a securing-plate and provided with a lock mechanism, with a hat and coat retaining arm pivoted to said hat-receiving arm and provided with a raised annular flange having a notch adapted to receive the latch of the locking mechanism, substantially as specified.

3. In a combined hat and coat rack, the combination of hat and coat receiving arms mounted on a securing-plate, with hat and coat retaining-arms pivoted to said hat-receiving arm, and locking mechanism at their pivotal point, and with a key for the same, substantially as specified.

4. In a combined hat and coat rack, the combination of hat and coat receiving arms mounted on a securing-plate, with hat and coat retaining arms pivoted to said hat-receiving arm, locking mechanism at their pivotal point, and a key bearing a number corresponding with the number of the rack, substantially as specified.

5. The combination of the casting A, formed with the securing plate A, having at its upper end a forwardly-projecting hat-receiving arm, A, and at its lower end with a coat-receiving hook or arm, A with the casting B, pivoted thereto and comprising a forwardly-projecting hat-retaining arm, B, and the coat-retaining arm B substantially as specified.

6. The combination of the casting A, having the arm A, recessed as at A, provided with the perforated boss A, keepers A, latch A,

springs A A", and hole A", with the casting B, having the web B, perforated as at B, and provided with the annular ring 13, recessed as at B" and notched as at B. adapted to receive the perforated boss A, and with the pivot D, substantially asspecified.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

WILLIAM L. CALDWELL. \Vitnesses:

P. L. MANLY, DANIEL WORLEY. 

